Saracens beaten again after home defeat to Bath (From Watford Observer)

Saracens beaten again after home defeat to Bath

4:53pm Sunday 28th February 2010

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Saracens’ slump in form continued after they crashed to a 16-14 home defeat to Bath in the Guinness Premiership this afternoon.

Derick Hougaard had the opportunity to snatch the win from a penalty with the last kick but his effort went wide and Saracens suffered another significant blow to their title hopes.

After eight consecutive league wins Sarries stormed to the top of the table but their fourth defeat in the last five matches has left their hopes of a play-off spot in the balance. Wikus van Heerden’s try gave them a 11-9 lead but their scrum woes returned in the second half as a penalty try helped hand Bath their fifth win in a row.

Brendan Venter made three changes from the side beaten so disappointingly at Wasps last weekend. Michael Tagicakibau returned on the wing in place of Noah Cato. Kas Lealamanua also came in at prop for Matias Aguero and Mouritz Botha was recalled in the second row for Tom Ryder.

The Men in Black had a major scare within the first couple of minutes when they nearly conceded a try. Neil de Kock’s clearance was charged down by Matt Banahan and only an excellent defensive recovery from Chris Wyles denied the England wing. But from the five-metre scrum the visitors were awarded the first penalty which Ryan Davis converted.

Bath wasted a chance to extend their lead after 13 minutes when another Davis penalty was short of the target. Sarries were given a penalty for offside three minutes later and Hougaard had no trouble levelling the score.

Saracens went in front midway through the half when Van Heerden received the ball from a lineout just outside the five-metre line and the South African flanker ran unopposed through the defence to dive over the line. Hougaard’s conversion smacked off the post.

The visitors pulled back to within two points of Sarries eight minutes before the break when Davis booted over another penalty. But immediately from the restart Bath conceded a penalty which Hougaard fired between the posts.

Sarries were penalised for a scrum offence and Davis easily kicked over the close-range penalty which reduced the hosts’ lead to 11-9 at half time.

Bath should have taken the lead straight after the restart but Davis inexplicably missed the easiest of penalties right in front of the posts. The fly-half’s problems got worse minutes later when he squandered another penalty from further out.

Saracens were struggling badly in the scrum and three consecutive offences in front of their own line resulted in referee David Rose awarding the penalty try to Bath after 55 minutes. Davis added the conversion which gave the West Country side a five-point advantage.

The Men in Black kept themselves within touching distance of their opponents with Hougaard firing over a penalty. But Sarries ruined a great chance to score another try when Hougaard opted to go for the drop goal which sailed hopelessly off-target.

Sarries conceded another penalty just inside their half and Bath opted to give returning star Olly Barkley the kick but his attempt drifted narrowly wide. With less than ten minutes remaining, the hosts were given a penalty on the 22-metre line but Hougaard uncharacteristically missed the target.

The South African was handed the chance to become the hero when the hosts were awarded a last minute penalty but his effort from the left touchline was wayward and Bath celebrated as Saracens’ worrying form dragged on.

Saracens: Goode, Tagicakibau, Ratuvou, Barritt, Wyles, Hougaard, De Kock; Lealamanua (Brown, 67), Reynecke (Brits, HT), Skuse (Mercey, HT), Smith, Botha (Ryder, 51), Van Heerden, Saull (Burger, 52), Joubert

Bath: Abendanon, Maddock (Cuthbert, 63), Hape, Barkley, Banahan, Davis, Claassens; Flatman, Dixon, Bell, Hooper, Short, Beatie, Salvi, Watson

Scoring: 0-3, 3-3, 8-3, 8-6, 11-6, 11-9 HT 11-14, 11-16, 14-16

Referee: David Rose

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